4" Embroidered Space Patch for the STS-105 Mission

The primary objectives of STS-105 were to transport the Expedition Three crew, and several payloads and scientific experiments, to the International Space Station. The Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) tank, which will support the thermal control subsystems until a permanent system is activated, was attached to the Station during two spacewalks. The Expedition Two crew returned to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month stay on the Station.

Launch Date: August 5, 2001 7:05 p.m. EDT Launch Vehicle: Discovery Crew: Scott J. Horowitz Frederick W. Sturckow Daniel T. Barry Patrick G. Forrester Frank L. Culbertson, Jr. Mikhail Turin Vladimir N. Dezhurov Yury V. Usachev James S. Voss Susan J. Helms

The STS-105 crew patch symbolizes the exchange of the Expedition Two and Expedition Three crews aboard the International Space Station. The three gold stars near the ascending Orbiter represent the U.S. commanded Expedition Three crew as they journey into space, while the two gold stars near the descending Orbiter represent the Russian commanded Expedition Two crew and their return to Earth. The plumes of each Orbiter represent the flags of the United States and Russia and symbolize the close cooperation between the two countries. The Astronaut Office symbol, a star with three rays of light, depicts the unbroken link between Earth and the newest and brightest star on the horizon, the International Space Station (ISS). The ascending and descending Orbiters form a circle that represents both the crew rotation and the continuous presence in space aboard the ISS. The names of the four astronauts who will crew Discovery are shown along the border of the patch. The names of the Expedition Three and Expedition Two crews are shown on the chevron at the bottom of the patch.